Jeep(R) Liberty Named 2002 Canadian Truck of the Year

TORONTO, Feb. 13 - The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada has named DaimlerChrysler's Jeep(R) Liberty its 2002 Canadian Truck of the Year. The Association's Canadian Car and Truck of the Year awards were announced this morning in conjunction with the opening of the 2002 Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto.

"We are extremely honoured that Canada's leading automotive journalists have conferred this coveted award to our all-new 2002 Jeep Liberty," said Ed Brust, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of DaimlerChrysler Canada. "This award is especially meaningful in that Jeep Liberty triumphed over all comers in the exceedingly competitive truck category. AJAC's Car and Truck of the Year evaluation and voting process is considered among the most comprehensive and best in the world."

More than fifty of Canada's top automotive journalists converged in Shannonville, Ontario last October to test sixty new vehicles prior to the voting. Entries ranged from economy models to luxury sedans and included sports cars, minivans, pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles and hybrids.

In December, Jeep Liberty was declared the winner in the hotly contested Best New Sport Utility category, which included twelve compact, intermediate and luxury sport utility vehicles.

Introduced in May 2001, the 2002 Jeep Liberty appeals not only to traditional Jeep buyers but also to a new generation of sport utility buyers who value on-road refinement. As evidenced by the AJAC wins, Jeep Liberty stands apart from a new generation of less-capable sport utilities. Its price, size and on and off-road refinement make it unique in the market.